Thursday, March 19, 2009

GATHER - This Sunday

My fabulous friend Tara is the founder of Gather, a group that aims to bring the "lesbian community under one roof." She hosts regular gatherings around New York to give lesbian women a chance to get together in a public setting and discuss the things that matter to them most.

At the first Gather we discussed commitment and at the one that followed we talked about what it's like to be a single lesbian.

The events are open to women of all sexual orientations so come check it out!

The 3rd gathering will take place this Sunday in Park Slope! Details Below!


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Saturday, March 14, 2009

TAKE ACTION - Rape is NOT a game!

Remember the new video game I told you about ... you know the one where the whole point is to rape women?

Well, rape is not a game and it's about time someone say something so do your part and sign the petition at Care2 to ensure games like this are no longer produced! Just a few seconds and you'll make a huge difference!

ACT NOW!

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Friday, March 13, 2009

Badass Feminists - Madeleine Albright


"There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women."

- Madeleine Albright , Former U.S. Secretary of State,Comment at the discussion session of A Powerful Noise Event on March 5th.

Priceless.

As the first woman Secretary of State under Bill Clinton's administration (who was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate 99-0! No big deal!) she is as badass as a feminist as they come!

Thank you Ms. Albright - I couldn't agree more!

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Good News for Sexually Active College Students

President Obama has signed a provision in the budget bill that offers incentives to drug makers to offer discount for birth control pills at college health clinics!

This is fabulous news for sexually active students who saw substantial spikes in prices over the last two years!

Planned Parenthood Federation of America president Cecile Richards called the legislation "a victory for women's health and especially for women who have struggled to afford the rising costs of basic contraception in these tough economic times."

Whether drug makers will actually offer discount is still unclear. Fingers crossed!

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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

RapeLay - New Rape Video Game

A friend recently brought a new video game called Rapelay to my attention the other day. And surprise, surprise the game is in the name. Yes, that's right. Rape. The entire purpose of the game is to rape women. The features are incredibly disturbing and what's even more disturbing is that such a game is available for the profit of others. Disgusting!

Check out more of my thoughts on Care2!

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Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Sisterly Pride

In my family the women take center stage. Being surrounded by such smart, confident, powerful women is one of the many reasons I'm a feminist and then there's the fact that my father is one of the proudest feminists I know (that doesn't hurt either).

As some of you may already know one of my gorgeous sisters has a design blog that has become quite popular. In it she combines wit and humor with her ideas of style and design and added spects of her everyday life for good measure. She can decorate a room with her eyes closed and arms tied behind her back. I on the other hand am hopeless in the area (blow up furniture anyone?)

She has often joked that when she thinks of the three of us she is reminded of a scene from one of our very favorite movies Dirty Dancing. It goes like this:

Dad: Max, our baby's going to change the world.
Max (Looking at Lisa): And what are you going to do, missy?
Baby: Oh Lisa's gonna decorate it.

Lisa = my older sister
Baby = me and my younger sister

Recently, said younger sister was featured on the Huffington Post with her first op-ed. I couldn't be prouder! Her writing is crisp and clear and she delves into a very important topic that affected us both at our alma mater Boston College.

By denying access to contraceptive resources and restricting open discussion of reproductive health, Catholic schools are putting the sexual health of a significant population of sexually active young adults in serious danger. Students have sex, even on Catholic campuses.
Go check it out yourself!



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Monday, March 9, 2009

Death by Stoning in Iran - ACT NOW

After celebrating International Women's Day on Sunday it was a shock to read that 8 women in Iran have been sentenced to death by stoning after being accused of adultery.

My friend Tracy over at Care2 reported on the incident after learning about it from Amnesty International.

Now, I'm not one to condone adultery but death, let alone by stoning, for committing adultery is extreme not to mention inhumane. I mean talk about cruel and unusual punishment.

Make sure you sign the petition to eradicate the law in Iran now!

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Thursday, March 5, 2009

Chris Brown Charged!

After much speculation about what happened between pop star couple Rihanna and Chris Brown, today Brown was charged with felony counts of assault and making criminal threats.

The statement below about what "allegedly" happened is horrifying.

According to the statement: (Thanks CNN!)

"Brown was driving a vehicle with Robyn F. as the front passenger on an unknown street in Los Angeles. Robyn F. picked up Brown's cellular phone and observed a three-page text message from a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with.

"A verbal argument ensued and Brown pulled the vehicle over on an unknown street, reached over Robyn F. with his right hand, opened the car door and attempted to force her out. Brown was unable to force Robyn F. out of the vehicle because she was wearing a seat belt. When he could not force her to exit, he took his right hand and shoved her head against he passenger window of the vehicle, causing an approximate one-inch raised circular contusion.

"Robyn F. turned to face Brown and he punched her in the left eye with his right hand. He then drove away in the vehicle and continued to punch her in the face with his right hand while steering the vehicle with his left hand. The assault caused Robyn F.'s mouth to fill with blood and blood to splatter all over her clothing and the interior of the vehicle.

"Brown looked at Robyn F. and stated, 'I'm going to beat the s--t out of you when we get home! You wait and see!'"

The detective said she then used her cell phone to call her personal assistant, Jennifer Rosales, who did not answer.

"Robyn F. pretended to talk to her and stated, 'I'm on my way home. Make sure the police are there when I get there.'

"After Robyn F. faked the call, Brown looked at her and stated, 'You just did the stupidest thing ever! Now I'm really going to kill you!'

"Brown resumed punching Robyn F. and she interlocked her fingers behind her head and brought her elbows forward to protect her face. She then bent over at the waist, placing her elbows and face near her lap in [an] attempt to protect her face and head from the barrage of punches being levied upon her by Brown.

"Brown continued to punch Robyn F. on her left arm and hand, causing her to suffer a contusion on her left triceps that was approximately two inches in diameter and numerous contusions on her left hand.

"Robyn F. then attempted to send a text message to her other personal assistant, Melissa Ford. Brown snatched the cellular telephone out of her hand and threw it out of the window onto an unknown street.

"Brown continued driving and Robyn F. observed his cellular telephone sitting in his lap. She picked up the cellular telephone with her left hand and before she could make a call he placed her in a head lock with his right hand and continued to drive the vehicle with his left hand.

"Brown pulled Robyn F. close to him and bit her on her left ear. She was able to feel the vehicle swerving from right to left as Brown sped away. He stopped the vehicle in front of 333 North June Street and Robyn F. turned off the car, removed the key from the ignition and sat on it.

"Brown did not know what she did with the key and began punching her in the face and arms. He then placed her in a head lock positioning the front of her throat between his bicep and forearm. Brown began applying pressure to Robyn F.'s left and right carotid arteries, causing her to be unable to breathe and she began to lose consciousness.

"She reached up with her left hand and began attempting to gouge his eyes in an attempt to free herself. Brown bit her left ring and middle fingers and then released her. While Brown continued to punch her, she turned around and placed her back against the passenger door. She brought her knees to her chest, placed her feet against Brown's body and began pushing him away. Brown continued to punch her on the legs and feet, causing several contusions.

"Robyn F. began screaming for help and Brown exited the vehicle and walked away. A resident in the neighborhood heard Robyn F.'s plea for help and called 911, causing a police response. An investigation was conducted and Robyn F. was issued a Domestic Violence Emergency Protective Order."

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Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Celebs Doing Good


Today in Washington, D.C. Reese Witherspoon attended the Global Forum for Women and Justice to speak out against domestic violence.

As one of Avon's Global Ambassadors, she publicized Avon's new campaign against domestic violence that raises proceeds for the cause with the purchase of an Empowerment Pendant Necklace. For just $5 you can become part of the movement.

Last year Reese helped Avon raise $4 million in support of domestic violence programs with their Women’s Empowerment Bracelet.

For a cause that effects 1 in 3 women, this is a small price to pay for a whole lot of good. Thanks Reese!

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Sterilization Discrimination?

When I came across this story I was angry, upset, offended, confused ...

http://contexts.org/socimages/2009/03/02/differences-in-an-english-and-spanish-version-of-a-kaiser-pamphlet/

What do you think? Is is discrimination or was something lost in translation?

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